Judith Irene (White) Mathison, age 82, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, at Upjohn Community Care after facing cancer with grace and determination.
Judy was born on October 4, 1942, in Portland, Oregon, to Leslie White and Helen (Haley) White. She pursued her education at Augsburg College, where she met her match in Oral Mathison. On September 7, 1963, in Portland, Oregon, Judy and Oral were married, and together, they built a beautiful family, sharing 62 years of marriage filled with love and devotion.
Judy dedicated many years to serving others through her work as a teacher’s aide at Gull Lake Schools and later at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, where she supported those who had served our country. She was a faithful member of Gracespring Church, where her faith provided her with strength and a sense of community throughout her life. In her free time, Judy found joy in the simple pleasures of life – tending to her gardens over the years and losing herself in a good book. Her love of gardening reflected her nurturing spirit, and her passion for reading showed her curious and thoughtful nature.
Judy is survived by her beloved husband, Oral Mathison of Kalamazoo; two sons, Scott Mathison and Todd Mathison; one daughter, Sara (John) O’Neill; two cherished grandchildren, John O’Neill and Solveig O’Neill; and one brother, Thomas White. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia Kirk.
Those who knew Judy remember her kindness, selflessness, attention to detail, and dedication to family. She was sweet yet strong, with an independent spirit that took her on adventures throughout her life. Her family fondly recalls her love of laughter and how she graciously endured their playful teasing with remarkable good humor. Her trusting heart meant she consistently gave people the benefit of the doubt – a quality that led to countless family jokes, including the oft-repeated “I crashed the car, Mom” (which was hardly ever true). They also remember her characteristic sharp intake of breath and quick grab for the car seat during drives, a reflex that became as much a part of family road trips as the destination itself. Judy’s legacy lives on in these cherished family memories.